More ADF attacks

Following Thursday's attack on Katojo jail in Fort Portal, in which the rebels freed over 360 prisoners, more attacks were launched on army positions over the weekend. On Friday, the ADF attacked five army barracks at Butama, Ngite, Kabango, Ndugutu and Kanyamirima in Bundibuygo district, killing four soldiers and injuring a number of others, Ugandan radio reported, citing Minister of State for Defence Stephen Kavuma. Six rebels were also killed. Kavuma stressed the army was pursuing the rebels who had retreated to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The 'New Vision' said heavy gunfire rocked the Bunyangabu and Kibota subcounties of Kabarole district at midday on Friday, as the army and rebels exchanged fire for nearly two hours. More fighting was reported in Bundibugyo town on Saturday when a group of about 50 ADF rebels engaged the army in a two-hour gun battle. Ugandan Chief of Staff Brigadier James Kazini was in the town at the time of the attack. The newspaper said the rebels were repulsed, and Kazini told residents the insurgents had attacked Bundibugyo to try and divert the army from its flushing-out operations in the mountains. Sporadic fighting was reported in the Rwenzori mountains where the ADF have their hideouts. Analysts note that the intensified fighting comes in the wake of last week's peace deal signed in Nairobi by the presidents of Sudan and Uganda. The Ugandan authorities believe Sudan has been supplying and training the ADF rebels, whose core group are Tabliq Muslims. The rebels have also apparently snubbed an amnesty offer last week by President Yoweri Museveni.